CARDINALS’ LINEBACKER TO SERVE JAIL TIME IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR ARIZONA DUI

Posted by Phoenix DUI Attorney Nick Alcock:

It became known on Wednesday that Arizona Cardinals linebacker Clark Haggans was to serve nine days in jail related to a DUI arrest in 2011. In a statement, the former Pittsburgh Steeler explained that he was in an emergency situation. While attending a concert, his daughter’s babysitter called saying there were breathing problems. Haggans, who had been drinking, immediately tried to find his wife but couldn’t, so he decided to drive home from the concert and proceeded to run a red light and speed excessively which led to his getting pulled over. Haggans plead guilty to Extreme DUI, but all other charges were dismissed.

As far as excuses go, this is probably as close to acceptable as they come. After all, he was worried about his child and her health. While certainly not condoning driving while intoxicated, I’m simply suggesting that were we in a similar situation, we might have done the same to save our child if just out of pure instinct and adrenaline. Unfortunately, the irresponsible decision to get behind the wheel of a car after consuming alcohol happens to be one of those things that society views as completely unacceptable despite the fact that pretty much anyone who has ever drunk alcohol has probably driven when he or she should not have. To his credit, Haggans decided to take the high road, saying “in hindsight, I should have found another way home, and I take full responsibility for my actions.”

According to Chandler Municipal Court documents, Haggans was initially sentenced to 45 days in jail, a fine of $3,229 and counseling treatment. The sentence called for nine days in custody and 36 days of home detentions. Haggans paid his fine and completed his counseling treatment in Arizona, but was allowed by a judge to complete his jail time in Pennsylvania. Haggans was then ordered to pay a fine of $702, spend 48 hours at Westmoreland County Prison and serve a seven-day work release at the prison as an alternative to serving all of his jail time in Arizona.

Haggans may or may not face discipline from the league and there is no reason to think that there will be consequences with the Cardinals.